According to Reiter, Acosta did not respond, prompting the police chief to express concern that Epstein’s legal team was “manipulating” Acosta’s office.

“We have been receiving some guidance from main justice and [Epstein’s] defense attorneys have done a very effective job in stalling the case,” Acosta replied.

‘Main justice’ refers to the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, D.C., which at that time during Bush’s presidency was being overseen by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. The Daily Beast has contacted the Department of Justice and George W. Bush’s office for comment.

“I was told Epstein ‘belonged to intelligence’ and to leave it alone,” Acosta told the Trump transition team. He would later be appointed as Trump’s labor secretary and serve in his Cabinet for two years.